News
DAN Appoints Francois Burman as Director of Diving and Hyperbaric Safety
Divers Alert Network (DAN) has announced the appointment of Francois Burman Pr. Eng, Int PE (SA), BSc, MSc, MSAIME, FSAIW as their new Director of Diving and Hyperbaric Safety.
Before joining DAN, Burman received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Cape Town. He then served two years as a naval officer where he gained hands-on experience in naval engineering and ship design. He went on to become a Professional Engineer with the Institute of Mechanical Engineers and Welding. In 1994, Burman joined an organization specializing in life-support and underwater engineering. Shortly after, he helped establish the first private hyperbaric oxygen therapy company in Southern Africa and was accepted into the Executive Committee of the Southern Africa Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Association.
Burman joined DAN Southern Africa in 1997 as the Operations Director. He was later appointed the CEO, responsible for all aspects of DAN and its programs. He serves on the board of International DAN and is the technical consultant for various international recompression chamber assistance programs. During his time as CEO, Burman earned a Master of Science degree in Medical Sciences (Baromedical Sciences) at the University of Stellenbosch.
In 2016, Burman was chosen as the recipient of the Wilbur T. Workman award. The award is presented to an individual who shows enthusiasm in the fields of aerospace and hyperbaric medicine and is instrumental in establishing and maintaining safety standards for the specialized field of Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine.
“Francois’ contributions within the dive industry, as well as the DAN organization, are significant and he brings an extensive set of skills to this position,” said Bill Ziefle, President and CEO, Divers Alert Network. “His expertise in developing safety and risk mitigation protocols specific to the dive community is unparalleled. We are excited to have him aboard to help expand our resources and take our programs to the next level,” added Ziefle.
As Director of Diving and Hyperbaric Safety, Burman will place emphasis on developing and promoting programs to improve safety through risk awareness and mitigation, reducing liabilities, preventative training, and prompting appropriate response to safety violations and injuries.
Over the next 12 months, specialist scuba holiday company Dive Worldwide will be supporting Bite-Back Shark & Marine Conservation with donations collected from client bookings to any one of its stunning dive destinations around the world. The independently-owned operator expects to raise £3000 for the UK charity.
Manager at Dive Worldwide, Phil North, said: “We’re especially excited to work with Bite-Back and support its intelligent, creative and results-driven campaigns to end the UK trade in shark products and prompt a change in attitudes to the ocean’s most maligned inhabitant.”
Bite-Back is running campaigns to hold the media to account on the way it reports shark news along with a brand new nationwide education programme. Last year the charity was credited for spearheading a UK ban on the import and export of shark fins.
Campaign director at Bite-Back, Graham Buckingham, said: “We’re enormously grateful to Dive Worldwide for choosing to support Bite-Back. The company’s commitment to conservation helps set it apart from other tour operators and we’re certain its clients admire and respect that policy. For us, the affiliation is huge and helps us look to the future with confidence we can deliver against key conservation programmes.”
To launch the fundraising initiative, Phil North presented Graham Buckingham with a cheque for £1,000.
Visit Dive Worldwide to discover its diverse range of international scuba adventures and visit Bite-Back to learn more about the charity’s campaigns.
MORE INFORMATION
Call Graham Buckingham on 07810 454 266 or email graham@bite-back.com
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